Windshield Repair: Three Reasons You Should Not Ignore A Cracked Or Chipped Windshield
There are various reasons why windshields get cracks and chips during the life span of your vehicle. Some of the most common causes of chips and cracks include rocks kicked up by spinning wheels or debris falling off a dump truck.
Most people choose to ignore windshield repairs for minor cracks and chips. However, ignoring minor cracks and chips can lead to running into various problems like more expensive windshield repairs in the future or even getting in trouble with the law.
Therefore, if you have a chipped or cracked windshield, here are three reasons you should get windshield repairs done immediately.
1. Avoid Expensive Windshield Repairs or Replacement
When you ignore repairing minor cracks or chips on your windshield, they will continue expanding and eventually obstruct your road vision.
If you have come across a car with a severely cracked or chipped windshield, you may rush to assume that the windshield condition is a result of a collision. Though you may be right, there is a chance that the vehicle's owner neglected to conduct windshield repairs on minor cracks and chips, and they have continued to expand with time.
Cracks and chips can expand due to a number of reasons, such as:
- Thermal expansion and contraction due to weather changes
- Freezing and expansion of moisture inside the cracks and chips
- Driving on uneven roads or hitting bumps
When small cracks and chips expand in size, the windshield repair costs significantly rise. Additionally, if the cracks and chips expand to the point they inhibit road visibility, you may have to get a windshield replacement which is more expensive than windshield repairs.
Therefore, getting windshield repairs done early helps you save money by preventing the need for expensive windshield repairs or the need to replace your windshield.
2. Avoid Breaking the Law
Every state in the US has varying federal laws regarding cracked or chipped windshields. However, it is illegal to drive a car with a cracked or chipped windshield on the driver's side in all states. If the crack or chip is not in the driver's line of sight, you are permitted to drive the vehicle, provided the cracks or chips are not larger than three-quarters of an inch or within three inches of each other.
If you break any of the above laws, you will get fined, and it will also cost you points on your driver's license. Therefore, if you have a crack or chip on your windshield inhibiting your line of sight, you need to get it fixed as soon as possible before you run into trouble with the law and end up paying a hefty fine.
3. Prevent Blind Spots
When small cracks and chips on a windshield expand, they might reduce your range of vision while driving. For instance, large cracks or chips on your windshield's passenger side can create a blind spot that prevents you from seeing motorists approaching from your right-hand side at an intersection.
The blind spot caused by the cracks and chips may cause you to drive into adjacent traffic, causing an accident. Therefore, it is essential to check if the cracks or chips on your windshield are causing blind spots and if they are, seek windshield repair services immediately before you cause an accident.
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